Methods for optically enhanced holographic interferometric testing for test and evaluation of semiconductor devices and materials
AssigneeAttofemto, Inc.
InventorPaul L. Pfaff
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AssigneeAttofemto, Inc.
InventorPaul L. Pfaff
Estimating the term…
Improved methods and systems for inspection imaging for holographic or interferometric semiconductor test and evaluation through all phases of manufacture. Specifically, systems and methods are disclosed for extending the range of optical holographic interferometric inspection for evaluating microelectronic devices and determining the interplay of electromagnetic signals and dynamic stresses to the semiconductor material are provided in which an enhanced imaging method provides continuous and varying of the magnification of the optical holographic interferometric images over a plurality of interleaved optical pathways and imaging devices. Analysis of one or more holographic interference patterns displays internal and external stresses and the various effects of such stresses upon the operating characteristics of features within the features, interior structures, or internal surfaces of the semiconductor material or wafer under test.
A method for optically testing and displaying internal stresses of semiconductor devices or wafers while being manufactured, the device or wafer under test being comprised a semiconductor conductor material having an interior surface and interior structures, comprising:
A method for optically testing and displaying internal stresses of semiconductor devices or wafers while being manufactured, the device or wafer under test being comprised of a semiconductor material having an exterior surface and interior structures, the method comprising, imposing the object beam on the exterior surface of the semiconductor material to generate a reflected object beam from the interior structures of the semiconductor material, and interior surfaces of the semiconductor material to generate a reflected beam from the interior surfaces of the semiconductor material, adjusting the angle of a reference beam relative to an object beam between a plurality of angles with the semiconductor material being in a different state for each angle of the reference beam, imposing the reflected object beam and the reference beam onto a detection device to create a plurality of interference patterns of the reflected object beam with the reference beam, one at each of the plurality of angles of the reference beam, and comparing the plurality of interference patterns to one another to determine characteristics within the semiconductor material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.